Working on Fire
The government’s Working on Fire programme says globally in 2024 there has been a new era of wildfire intensity, with South Africa being no exception.
According to managing director Trevor Abrahams, the 2024 fire season broke records, with 2 750 firefighting teams dispatched, thousands of livestock destroyed, and 34 human lives lost, including many firefighters.
In a statement on Monday, it said this tragic milestone underscored the escalating wildfire crisis we face, a crisis fuelled by climate change and increasingly volatile weather patterns.
“While the total area burned – 3 997 732 hectares – remained below historical averages, the rising intensity and frequency of these fires continue to challenge firefighting resources.
“Mpumalanga alone, the province hardest hit, reported massive structural damages, further compounding its disaster declaration,” said Abrahams.
He said this fire season, South Africa not only lost lives but also livelihoods, with thousands displaced, over 2 051 livestock destroyed, and critical infrastructure damaged.
“These numbers reflect more than just statistics; they represent human lives, families, and futures disrupted by a crisis we are not yet fully equipped to confront,” Abrahams lamented.
He said July 2024, the hottest month ever recorded, had set the stage for unprecedented fire activity across the globe, from Canada to Greece.
Abrahams said in South Africa, rising seasonal temperatures, prolonged droughts, and delayed rainfall are creating ideal conditions for wildfires to ignite and spread.
“The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has long warned of the increasing frequency of extreme weather events in South Africa.
“Their predictions, outlined in the South African Risk and Vulnerability Atlas, are becoming our reality: heatwaves, dry spells, and severe storms are not only increasing fire risks but also threatening food security, water availability, and livelihoods,” he said.
Abrahams noted that climate change was no longer a distant challenge; it is here.
“It is visible in the early onset of fire seasons, in their extended duration, and in the growing danger faced by our firefighters,” he said.
Abrahams noted that climate change was no longer a distant challenge; it is here.
“It is visible in the early onset of fire seasons, in their extended duration, and in the growing danger faced by our firefighters,” he said.
Working on Fire said this fire season has shown us that prevention is as important as response.
He said integrated fire management solutions, the model adopted by Working on Fire, provides a roadmap for addressing this challenge.
“Our approach combines public awareness, fuel load reduction, and rapid-response capabilities.
“Controlled burns and vegetation management are critical tools, particularly as climate change exacerbates risks in fire[1]prone regions,” he added.
